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Falkirk witnessed the coming of the Romans, for it was here that Julius Agricola supervised the continuation of the Antonine Wall (in AD80), that great barricade that stretches across what is now central Scotland - winding its way between Bo'ness in the east to Old Kilpatrick in the west. Parts of the wall can still be seen in the Falkirk area (as well as other places along its length). It is the most important Roman structure still evident in Scotland, which once marked out a clear line from the river Forth to the river Clyde. The section of the wall at Falkirk known as Watling Lodge has now been largely destroyed by the processes of agriculture but the original profile of the ditch can just be made out, although with some difficulty. 
ground of Falkirk Moor (just to the west of the town). It was a 'messy'
battle compounded by the storm that broke, bringing with it a relentless
driving rain which swept across this desolate ground.
Cold as it was, this icy rain was at the back of the Jacobite forces as the charge began, which meant of course that it was coming directly at the English army. The Battle of Falkirk was a victory for the Jacobites but it was their last; just under three months later (April 16th 1746) at Culloden in Inverness the tired, weary and hungry forces of Charles Edward Stuart faced the might of the Duke of Cumberland's army. In less than an hour the Jacobite Cause lay scattered across Drumossie Moor.
© Scottish Towns Last updated February 2000 |